Tire.



J. MCNAMEE.

TIRE.

APPLICATION PILBD SEPT. so, 1909.

L084,025. Patnted Jan. 13,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. MGNAMEE.

TIRE.

APPLIOATIN FILED SEPT. 30, 1909.

1,084,()25 Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

4. SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3110er [on J'. MONAMEE.

' Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. MONAMBE.

TIRE.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. so, 1909.

1,084,025. Patented Jau. 13, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

JAMES MCNAMEE, OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK.

TIRE.

Specification of Letters atent.

Patented dan. i3, Mlle.

Application filed September 30, 1909. Serial No. 520,308.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l., JAMES McNnMnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ainsterdam, in the county ot Montgomery and State ot New York, have invented a new and useful Tire, of which the following is a. speci lication.

The invention has special reference to tires designed tor use in connection with automobiles, bicycles or .other vehicles in which pneumatic or cushion tires are ordinarily employed, and the object in view to produce a highly resilient tire ot which the utility cannot be atlected or destroyed by puncture, and to this end to provide an elastic or yielding resisting element composed essentially of interwound helices with the parts so disposed that the convolutions ci the helices throughout the tread portions of the tire become coactively resistant to pressure or forces tending to distort or displace the same; and to this end the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts 'fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and hereinafter described and set forth in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the torni, proportion and minor details oli the construction may be made without departing 'from the spirit or sacriicing any of the advantages ol' the invention.

ln the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specilication, Figure 1 is an elevation ot a portion of a tire element coniposed of helically wound strands or helices wherein one helix is o'l smaller diameter than the other, said element being bent to torni a curve, and thereby relatively to displace or render non-coincident the axes of the helices. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same element prior to the bending, and there- 'fore showing the helices of differentdiameters with their axes in coincidence. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a. complete tire element as applied to a rim. Fig. 4t is a cross sectional view ot a tire showing a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the interwound helices are of the same diameter'. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of a tire constructed in accordance with the invention, the casing or shoe being omitted. Fig. 6 is an elevation ot a portion of a tire element such as that illustrated in Fig. 4

with the helices ot equal diameters, the helices being shown in the relative positions which they occupy prior to the curving o'li the element. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, as it would appear il' extended longitudinally. Fig. S is an elevation showing the disposition ot the helices o't Fig. 6 when the element is bent to form a curve or arc.` as shown in Fig, il. Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. et illustrating a diiferent construction of filling block. Fig. l0 is an end view oi'A a helix showing the tread portion flattened. Fig. ll is a. cross section through a i'form ot strand which may be used in the construetion of the helices. Fig. l2 is a perspective view of a lling block such that illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 1.3 is a cross sectional view oi' a rim with a circular tire element arranged in operative position with relation thereto. Fig, lll is a side view of a portion of a tire wherein a retaining rod or bar is extended between the inner sides of the coils of the helices, and Fig. 15 is a cross section showing a modilication.

ln the preferred embodiment of the invent-ion, the tire element illustrated, for example in Fig. 3, is composed essentially of helices l and 2, oit any suitable material, such as steel7 phosphor bronze, or the like, the helices being either ot the same or ditferent materials as may be found expedient and ot wire which is either of the saine gage,

or ot different gages as shown at 25 in Fig.

Moreover, said helices may be oit different diameters as shown in Figs. l to 3 .inclusive or may be ot the same diameter as shown by numerals ."L and 2a in Figs. il, 6, 7 and 8. lFhether of the same or different diameters, however. the helices are primarily positioned with reference to each other, as shown respectively in Figs. 2 and 6, with the axes of the helices mutually included or in other words with the axis of each helix included within the space inelosed and bounded by the other helix and with said axes of the helices in coincident relation. Moreover. the helices are by preference terminally retained in such co-axial or axially coincident relation as shown in Figs. 3, fl and 9. With the helices positioned relatively as indicated in F 2 and 6, the element is bent to form an arc or curve as shown in Figs. 'l and 8 respectively, thereby relatively displacing the axes ot the helices or rendering them axially non-coincident at their intermediate portions.

lf the terminals of the helices are held in coaxial or axially coincident relation. displacement` ot the axes ot the helices oci-,urs only at the intermediate portion due to the tendency ot the coils at the inner side of the bend to crowd together and thereto)Y push one ot the helices outivaril or aivay trom the center ot' the bend or curve. and when the diameter ot the smaller helix. as shoivn in Figs. l to i3 inclusive, is less than that. of the larger helix, onlyv to the extent ot' the diameter ot the v-Jire or stock ot which the helices are formed. the exterior surfaces ot the convolutions at the outer or convex portion ot the arc or curve of the element ivill be substantially coincident, as shown in Figs. l and 3, vvhile the inner portions of the convolutions ot the smaller helix u'ill lie just inside ot' the inner portions of the convolutions o't the larger helix with the inner portion of the larger helix substantially co incident with the outer portion ot the smaller helix, as also shown in Figs. l and lVhen, however. the helices ot the same diameter, shown in Figs. tl to 8 inclusive. this out-Ward displacement ot' one helix vvill position the convolutions at the inner or convex portion of the arc or curve. :is described With reference to Figs. l and 3. with the inner portions of the convolutions at the concave or inner side oi' the element displaced. the convolutious of one helix Within the conv lutions ot the other helix, While at the outer or convex side of the element the coni'olutions ivill be intercurrently arranged and in mutual contact, but vi'th the convolutions ot one helix projecting beyond the convolutions ot the other helix. ln both of the illustrated forms of the element. as shown respectively in Figs. l and 8. however. the intercurrent and mutually contacting relation of the convolutions of the tivo helices at the outer or convex side ot the element provides tor amutual resistance ot the helices at the tread portion ot the tire element Without. relative radial movement oit the convolutions. and, therefore. Without if 1odiicing friction ivhich ivould result in such a heating ot the parts as Would be injurious to an enveloping' cover, casing. or shoe. Pressure applied to the tread of a tire thus formed will. not cause either the condensing of the convolutions at the tread portion. or the radial displacement or movement of the convolutions at the tread portion. but Will produce a general or bodily inward movement ot the tread portion With a corresponding outward flexing ot the tire elements at the sides, or at the points between said tread portions and the points et attachment of the elements to the rim ot the Wheel7 which in F ig. 3 is illus trated at 5, and in Fig. et at 52 The tread portions of the convolutions ot the helices may be exteriorly flattened as shown at 3 in Fig. l0 and by the cross section of the Wire l in Fig. 1l..

ln the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3, aand 9 comparatively shorttire elements are employed. the same being arranged in substantially U-torm and these elements are adapted to be arranged site by side to form a substantially unbroken or complete tread as shown .in Fig. 5, but as illustrated in Fig. 13, the elements composing' the tire maa7 be of circular form with the helices lX and 2X arranged as hereinbetore described, and when larger and smalle helices are employed in v. aich the diiicrence in diameters is sufficient. a retaining element consisting' of al bar or rod le t as shown in Fig. 14) may be extended through the elements so that the inner sides otl the convolutions ot the helix of smaller diameter will bear against the outer side thereof While the retaining' member will rest against the inner sides of the convolutions of the helix of larg'er diameter. is Will be observed trom the foregoing' description of the form illustrated in Figs. l to 3 inclusive, a retaining' member is not required Where the diilerence between the diameters of the smaller and larger helices is such that the inner portions of the convolutions of the larger helix Will serve to prevent inward displacement of the convolutions of the smaller helix. when pressure is applied to the tread of the tire.

Tillhen the resilient units or elements of the tire are of the U-shape illustrated in Fig. 3 the terminals of the legs of the U may be secured to the rim 5 by studs 9, as shown in Fig. 3, or similar studs 9a as shown in Fig'. el may be provided with coarse threads l0 designed to inclose and hold the convolutions of the helices although ot course the studs may be smooth and otherfastening means employed. Moreover, tilling blocks may be employed Within the arched elements as shown in Fig. lat lla and in Fig. 9 at 11C, said block llt1 having a perforation 13a to render the same more yielding. Said block llil rests upon the rim fr and is spaced at its outer curved portion from the tread portion of the elastic or yielding element, and the tire casing or shoe 6a is extended over the latter and may be of any suitable or preferred construction.

In the form of invention illustrated in Fi 9 wherein the tire element is composed ot the helices lC and 2C, the element being` secured terminally to the rim 5C, the filling block is provided in the side adjacent to said rim With an opening lat for a purpose similar to that described with reference to the (mening i3 in Fig. 4:. Moreover, the hlock lla, as illustrated in Fig. l2 (and also in section in Fig. a) may he provided in its sides with depressions or grooves 12'L to receive the legs of the U-shaped elements and thereby lock said block in place to prevent relative displacement. lt will be noted that a filling ring may he constructed in like manner to extend continuously around the rim ot a Wheel. instead oit employing sepa.- rate blocks as shown.

`iirom the foregoing description, it will he noted that each elastic longitudinally curved element ot the tire consists ot the helices ot i which the axes are mutually included, or in other words, in Which the axis ot each helix is included Within the space and incloscd and bounded by the other helix, or other helices (if more than two are employed) and While the helices are preferably (so-axial or axially coincident at their terminals, they are intermediately non-axial or axially non-coincident, in order to inter. currently dispose the intermediate convolutions at the outer or tread side ot the curve oit the element, and moreover, that the intercurrent portions oi the convolutions are mutually contacting and are non-movable i radially. rlhe advantages thereby secured are as hereinhet'ore indicated, that is, the tire is non-puncturahle or is not injured by pinicture of the outer casing or shoe, While the relative arrangement of the parts of the l elements is such as to prevent the generation i ot heat which would destroy the etiiciency of a casing or shoe composed of or including ruhher in its composition. lioreover, where the elements are composed of helices having their convolut'ions intercurrently arranged at the tread portion, withv the outer surfaces or sides oit the tread portions ot the convolutions coincident, as for instance y by employing helices of dilierent diameters, l

l l l i i a smooth tread is provided and the inward relative displacement of the convolutions under strain or pressure is prevented.

Vilhat is claimed is: l. In a tire, an elastic longitudinally curved element comprising separate helices ,having non-coincident mutually included axes, and intercurrent convolutions.

lu a tire, an elastic longitudinally curved element comprising separate helices having non-coincident mutually included axes and intercurrent convolutions which are cxteriorly coincident.

S. In a tire, an elastic longitudinally curved element comprising separate helices having intercurrent convolutions, said helices being terminally co-axial and interinediately non-axial.

et. In a tire, an elastic longitudinally curved element comprising separate terminally (tO-axial helices having their convolutions inteii'curreiit at one side of the curve.

in a tire, an elastic longitudinally curved element comprising separate terminally co-axial helices having their convolutions intercurrent at the outer or tread side oi" the curve.

t3. in a tire, an elastic element formed ot separate helices ot different diameters haring their longitudinal axes displaced one i relative to the other, and curved to form an arc with the convolutions ot' the helices at the convex portion oit the element at the saine distance trom the axis ot' curvature ot' the arc.

in testimony that l claim the foregoing as in v own, have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence ot two Witnesses.

JAMES MCNAMEE.

lii/vitiiesscs DANIEL V. MGNAMEE, C. lil. Dormi.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents Washington, D. C.

each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patente, 

